Jacob Yadgaroff, 68, Garment-Industry Executive

Jacob Edward Yadgaroff, 68, a longtime garment industry executive who ran operations in Philadelphia, New York, Tennessee and Georgia, died June 25 at his home in Merion Station.

The son of a native Israeli and a Bukharian entrepreneur, Yadgaroff attended the Beaconsfield School for Boys in Fran Sussex, England.

After the death of his mother in 1944, Yadgaroff and his sister, Shirley Victoria Levy, immigrated to the United States to join the family fur-trading business. After growing up in Manhattan and attending New York University, Yadgaroff joined the U.S. Army, and was stationed in Panama during the Korean war.

In the early 1960s, Yadgaroff joined the United Merchant's Robert Hall Men's clothing division. In 1969, the company promoted Yadgaroff to run its Philadelphia manufacturing operation.

Just as Yadgaroff began to set down roots in Philadelphia, the company brought him back to New York - to its Brooklyn location.

In 1976, Yadgaroff joined Winer Industries of Tennessee as its vice president of manufacturing. In 1979, he joined Philadelphia's Little Betty, a children's clothing manufacturer.

However, he's probably best known in the Philadelphia manufacturing market for his years at Stanley Blacker, where he ran manufacturing operations in Philadelphia and Georgia.

In 1986, Yadgaroff opened a worldwide consulting practice specializing in outsourcing and overseas manufacturing. He retired in 1999.

In addition to his sister, Yadgaroff is survived by his wife, Lois Yadgaroff; sons David Yadgaroff and Mark Yadgaroff; and five grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to: the Jacob Edward Yadgaroff Memorial Fund at the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, 124 S. Maple St., Ambler, PA 19002; or to the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, Medical Center Development, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.